Saturday, May 17, 2014

Love and danger in the Jungle : a short story

Sahiba
stretched languorously, her muscles rippling in slow motion, in tune with her
arched body. She felt rested and fresh, ready to face a new day.Ramba, hidden in the thick undergrowth, also arched –in
desire. God! She was a tease. He was almost certain that Sahiba knew that he
lusted for her. There was a certain something in her eyes when she looked at
him. The certain something seemed to say,” I know that you want me. Be a man
and confess that you do”. However, coming clean was what Ramba did not want to
do, not right now. He sensed hidden currents and danger around him and his
sixth sense was working overtime these days, telling him to take it slow and “Be
Careful’. So, he remained out of sight and Sahiba, tired of doing calisthenics,
stalked away, fuming.When would he tell her that he loved her?

The
familiar grating sound of an open jeep stopped her in her tracks. Swiftly she
hid in a clump of bamboo trees. She was not prepared to be leered at, at least
not so early in the day. There were days when she allowed them to catch a glimpse of her but today Rambo’s no show had put
her in a peevish mood. The jeep passed by slowly, adhering to the speed limits
of the wildlife park. She caught a clear glimpse of its occupants. A young
girl, glowing with the special radiance that love brings, a man, equally in
love , but watchful .The third - hooded eyes in anexpressionless face . The eyes reminded her
of Nageeni, the resident python of the park, and someone Sahiba preferred to
steer clear of.

Mrinalini
looked sideways at Rajat.HerRajat.He hadn’t spoken since they sat in the jeep
for the morning safari , but that was understandable. One was not supposed to
talk as it would disturb the wildlife . She was glad she had come, though his presence was an unwelcome intrusion.
However, her father had insisted on him
accompanying Mrinalini and Rajat. “The jungle is an unknown territory for you
both and I will feel better if Shekhar is with you. Shekhar, after all, knows
the lay of the land like the back of his hand”, her father had said and that
was that. No one ever argued with her father, not even Lini, the apple of his
eye.

Rajatwasinwardly seething with irritation. His dictatorial father in law to be
did not think he was capable of looking after his darling daughter. Just
because he was not a muscleman like the Schwarzenegger sitting next to him it
did not mean he was incapable of saying boo to a goose. He must tell the old
man about the time he lifted a car to rescue a puppy trapped under its wheel,
earning for himself a grateful lick from the miraculously unhurt puppy and an
even more grateful kiss on the cheek from the owner of the canine, a leggy lass
with long shiny hair and sooty eyelashes in a dimpled face. Thinking of the
kiss immediately put him in an amorous mood and he tugged Lini close to him.

Lini , pretty as a picture and brainy too. She
had topped the Civil Services exam and never failed to remind Rajat that he had
come second. They had become good friends in the training academy at Mussoorie and
by the end of the training were clear in their minds that they wanted to spend
the rest of their lives together. Both sets of parents had given their approval
and the wedding was fixed for the next month . The two families were holidaying
in a famous resort on the outskirts of the national park . Everybody had come
for a morning safari the previous day, but apart from sighting some deer and a
wild tusker they had not seen anything worthwhile. Worthwhile meant spotting a tiger, or two. The parents had refused
to come that day, preferring to relax in the resort instead. Rajat and Lini
wanted another try at spotting the tiger and so here they were.

An hour
later, tigerless and thirsty, Rajat decided it was time to turn back. After all,
it would take another two hours of drive within the forest before they would
reach the exit gate.He looked at Shekhar, his look signaling that
the latter should start the drive back. Shekhar nodded. Fifteen minutes later
the jeep came to a shuddering halt. “What happened”? asked Lini. Without
replying, Shekhar jumped down and opening the bonnet peeped inside. A few
minutes later he walked to Rajat’s side. “The engine has heated up. I need to
put some water in it”.“Where will you
get water from?” asked Rajat. “A river flows through the forest. I have a can
at the back . We can fill that with water and carry it back”. “ We ? isn’t it
unsafe to walk in the forest?”, said Rajat. “ Well, it seems we have no choice.
I refuse to go alone. You will have to come with me. Leaving Lini alone in the
jeep is not a good option and so the best would be if we all go . ’

Shekhar
filled the can with water from the river and straightened up. Suddenly his body
stiffened. “ Crocs” ,he whispered. Rajat and Lini looked at the flowing water.
“ Where?” asked Rajat. Shekhar motioned for them to come closer. He put his hand on
Rajat’s shoulders and said ,”there”. The next minute a scream rang out in the
forest. Shekhar was pushing Rajat towards the water. Lini could see the
crocodile, perhaps scenting blood, at the shore.

Sahiba
looked at the scene unfolding. This was so not fair. For a brute with hooded eyes to decimate and destroy young
love, and that too in front of her eyes!She could not allow this! With a nimble leap Sahiba landed at Shekhar’s
throat. Shekhar only had time to see yellow and black stripes before sharp
claws sank into his throat.

Lini
caught hold of Rajat’s hand and both ran, without stopping, till they reached
the jeep. Rajat turned the key and the jeep sprang to life. The two looked at
each other . No words were necessary. Shekhar had obviously feigned the engine
trouble. Equally obviously he had wanted Rajat out of the way. And paid the
price forhis jealousy.

Ramba
looked at Sahiba. How magnificent she looked – Tigress of the forest and of his
heart. With a mellow roar he confessed his love to her. Sahiba stretched- in
pleasure.

About Me

I am a firm believer in Krishna's philosophy of Karma- and as a natural corollary to this belief have worked and lived so as to give grief to as few people as possible while enjoying my life , my work and myself.